Shelter barrier member

ABSTRACT

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for forming a shelter comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart beams, a flexible barrier sheet extending between the pair of beams and at least two braces extending between the beams. Each of the braces are foldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of the pair or beams and may be formed of first and second elongate members substantially similar lengths pivotally connected to each other which are foldable to be substantially parallel to the beams in a first position and substantially perpendicular to the beams in a second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to shelters in general and in particular a rapidly erectable modular shelter.

2. Description of Related Art

In many industries it is frequently necessary to set up temporary structures for sheltering people and objects from adverse weather and the like. Such shelters may be necessary for protection from wind, rain, snow or the like. In other situations, it is necessary to provide privacy around a zone or region. Often such structures or shelters are required in remote or different locations and therefore required to be easily transported and set up at such locations.

Previous attempts have been made to provide a portable shelter. However such attempts have not been adequately portable while providing sufficient protection from adverse weather or unwanted viewing. In particular, some previous shelters have attempted to provide a plurality of rigid or preformed panels which may be lengthwise connected to each other to from a continuous barrier. Sch panels are disadvantageously designed to retain their full size when in storage or transportation and may therefore be difficult to transport or store. Examples of such panels may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,085,789 to Steiner et al. and 4,838,525 to Snow et al.

Further attempts to solve the present difficulties has been to provide a continuous sheet of material having a plurality of poles and stakes spaced therealong such that the material may be unrolled and thereafter the stakes secured within the ground to form the material into an upright barrier. Examples of such devices may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,771,008 to Soldan, 3,537,688 to Stein, 4,576,364 to O'Fearna and 5,937,883 to Camara. Disadvantageously, such devices require a soft ground to insert the stakes into and are therefore unsuitable for hard surfaces such as pavement and the like. Additionally, such devices have a fixed length due to the continuous sheet of material and may also therefore be difficult to adapt or install for uses requiring differing lengths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for forming a shelter comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart beams, a flexible barrier sheet extending between the pair of beams and at least two braces extending between the beams. Each of the braces are foldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of the pair or beams.

The braces comprise foldable braces may be formed of first and second elongate members pivotally connected to each other. The first and second elongate members may have substantially similar lengths. The first and second elongate members may be foldable to be substantially parallel to the beams in a first position and substantially perpendicular to the beams in a second position. The first and second elongate members may be substantially coaxial in the second position. The first and second elongate members may be lengthwise and rotatable lockable to each in the second position. The braces may be foldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of the pair or beams. The apparatus may further comprise end braces located adjacent to each end of the beams.

The beams may comprise L-shaped beams. The L-shaped beams may have a long portion and a short portion. The long and short portions may be perpendicular to each other. The apparatus may further comprise a brace located at a junction of the long and short portions. The beams may comprise U-shaped beams having a pair of spaced apart short portions with a long portion extending therebetween. The apparatus may further comprise a brace located at a junction of the long and short portions.

The flexible barrier sheet may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, rubber, plastic, mesh or rubberized fabric. The flexible barrier may extend between the end braces

The sheet may include a first connection member located adjacent to a first end brace and a second connection member, connectable to the first connection member and located adjacent to a second opposed end brace such that adjacent apparatuses are connectable to each other. The first and connection members may comprise hook and loop fasteners.

The flexible barrier may include an extended planar portion extending from one of the pair of parallel beams sized extend from a bottom of the apparatus when in a vertical orientation and to receive a weighted object thereon for stabilizing the apparatus.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for forming a barrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an erected position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a partially folded or stored position.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a center pivot for the braces of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed exploded view of the end connections of the braces and top and bottom beams of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of two of the apparatuses of FIG. 1 connected together to form a barrier.

FIG. 6 is a, rear perspective view of an apparatus for forming a barrier according to a further embodiment of the present invention in an erected position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The apparatus 10 forms one panel of a modular barrier which may be located around a space as desired by a user. The apparatus comprises top and bottom spaced apart beams, 12 and 14, respectively having at least two braces 40 and 42 extending therebetween and supporting a flexible barrier sheet 70 thereover.

The top and bottom beams 12 and 14 have shapes corresponding to each other and are parallel and spaced apart and comprise rigid elongate members which as illustrated, may comprise tubular members although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be useful as well. As illustrated, in one embodiment of the present invention, the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 may be L-shaped members having a short portion 18 and a long portion 16 with a bend 20 therebetween although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be useful as well, such as by way of non-limiting example U-shaped or arcuate. As illustrated, the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 may have a bend 20 therein having a bend angle, generally indicated at 22, of approximately 90 degrees although it will be appreciated that other bend angles may be utilized as well. The long and short portions 16 and 18 may have any lengths desired by the user depending upon the desired application. By way of non-limiting example, it has been found that a length for the long portion of between 38 and 78 inches (965 mm and 1981 mm) and a length for the short portion of between 12 and 42 inches (305 and 1067 mm) has been useful although it will be appreciated that other lengths may be useful as well. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the long portions 16 of the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 define a first plane generally indicated at 17 and the short portions 18 of the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 define a second plane generally indicated at 19.

The top and bottom beams 12 and 14 may be formed of any suitable material, such as by way of non-limiting example, aluminium, steel, stainless steel, copper, plastic, and composite materials. The thickness of the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 should also be selected to have sufficient strength to support the barrier sheet as described below as may be determined by known methods. By way of non limiting example, it has been found that for use with aluminium tubing having a tubing diameter of between ½ and 1 inch (12 and 25 mm) for the top and bottom beams, a tube wall thickness of between 1/32 and ⅛ inches (0.8 and 3 mm) may be useful although it will be appreciated that any other suitable material, thickness and diameter may be useful as well

The top and bottom beams 12 and 14 include a plurality of end and middle brackets 24 and 26. The end brackets 24 are located at the ends of the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 and are adapted to pivotally support end braces therefrom as will be more fully described below. The middle bracket 26 is located adjacent to the bend 20 and is adapted to pivotally support a middle brace therefrom as will be more fully described below.

The braces may be end braces 40 or middle braces 42 as illustrated. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the apparatus may utilize two end braces 40 only, such as by way of non-limiting example for straight top and bottom beams, where as in other embodiments, one or more middle brace 42 may also be utilized to provide additional support to the apparatus, such as, by way of non-limiting example, L-shaped or U-shaped top and bottom beams 12 and 14. Each brace 40 or 42 has a similar construction and is formed of first and second elongate bars or members, 44 and 46, respectively. The first and second elongate members are pivotally connected to each other by a pivot connection 48 and include a locking pin 50 proximate thereto. The first and second elongate members have a substantially similar length to each other wherein the pivot connection 48 is located approximately half way between the top and bottom beams 12 and 14. The first and second elongate members 44 and 46 are positionable in a first or erected position as illustrated in FIG. 1 or in a second or folded position wherein the first and second elongate members 44 and 46 are located proximate to each other for ease of storage and transportation. The apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 2 in a partially folded position wherein the apparatus may be further folded by moving the top beam 12 in a downward direction as indicated at 52. Each of the braces 40 or 42 includes an end connector 60 at each distal end of the first and second elongate members 44 and 46. The end connector 60 are adapted to be pivotally received in and supported by the end or middle braces 24 or 26 of the top or bottom beams 12 and 14 as will be more fully described below.

The braces 40 and 42 may have any length as desired by a user depending upon the desired height of the barrier formed thereby. In particular, it has been found that a length of between 36 and 84 inches (914 and 2133 mm) has been useful The braces may be formed of any suitable material, such as by way of non-limiting example, aluminium, steel, stainless steel, copper, plastic, and composite materials. The thickness of the braces 40 and 42 should also be selected to have sufficient strength to support the top beam 12 and barrier sheet 70 as described below as may be determined by known methods. By way of non limiting example, it has been found that for use with aluminium tubing having a tubing diameter of between ½ and 1 inch (12 and 25 mm), a tube wall thickness of between 1/32 and ⅛ inches (0.8 and 3 mm) may be useful although it will be appreciated that any other suitable material, thickness and diameter may be useful as well

Turning now to FIG. 3, a detailed view of the first and second elongate members 44 and 46 are selectably lockable relative to each other in the first or upright position as illustrated in FIG. 1 by a locking pin 50. The locking pin may comprise a pin 56 slidably received with in a bore 51 of the first elongate member 44. The second elongate member 46 includes a receiving bore 54 sized to receive the pin 56 therein when the first and second elongate members 44 and 46 are aligned with each other. The pin 56 may be biased within the bore 51 towards the receiving bore 54 and may also include a ring 58 or other grasping means for a user to hold and pull the pin 56 out of engagement with the receiving bore 54.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a detailed exploded view of a connection between a bottom end bracket 24 and an end connector 60 of a second elongate member 44 of an end brace 40 is illustrated. It will be appreciated that similar connections may also be provided between the top beam and the braces as well as at the ends of any middle braces 42. The end bracket 24 comprises a tubular member 25 having a bore 27 therein adapted to extend around and receive an end of the bottom beam 14 therein. The end bracket 24 includes a pair of parallel spaced apart upright plates 28 extending therefrom having a space, generally indicated at 30 therebetween. Each upright plate 28 includes a transverse bore 32 extending therethrough. The end connector 60 comprises a tubular member 62 having a bore 64 therein adapted to extend around and receive an end of second elongate member 46 therein. The end connector 60 includes an axial plate 66 extending axially therefrom having a transverse bore 68 extending therethrough. The axial plate 66 may be located within the space 30 between the upright plates 28 and a screw 34 or other suitable fastener passed through the transverse bores 32 and 68 to pivotally connect the end bracket 24 to the end connector 60. Thereafter a nut 36 may also be secured to the distal end of the screw 34 to retain it within the transverse bores 32 and 68.

The flexible barrier sheet 70 comprises a sheet of material sized to extend between and be supported by the top and bottom beams when the braces are secured in the upright position as illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the barrier sheet 70 comprises a planar sheet of material extending between top and bottom edges, 72 and 74, respectively, and first and second sides, 76 and 78, respectively. The top edge 72 includes a top flap 80 adapted to extend around the top beam 12 and be secured to the main portion of the barrier sheet 70 by stitching, adhesives or the like. The bottom edge 74 includes a bottom flap 82 adapted to extend around the bottom beam 14 and be secured to the main portion of the barrier sheet 70 by stitching, adhesives or the like. Optionally, the first and second sides 76 and 78 may include first and second side flaps, 84 and 86, respectively adapted to overlay the end braces 44 and be secured to the main portion of the barrier sheet 70 by stitching, adhesives or the like. The barrier sheet 70 may be formed of any suitable material, such as by way of non-limiting example, textile, fabric, plastic sheeting, mesh or rubber. In particular, it has been found in practice that nylon canvas having a 200 to 100 thread count is particularly useful.

With reference to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Optionally, the apparatus 10 may include first and second connection members, 90 and 92, respectively, located along the first and second sides 76 and 78 of the barrier sheet 70 so as to permit a first side of one apparatus to be coupled to a second side of an adjacent apparatus and thereby to form a barrier of a plurality of apparatuses 10. By way of non-limiting example, one of the first or second connection members 90 or 92 may comprise a sheet of the hook portion of hook and loop fasteners and the other of the first or second connection members may comprise the loop portion of the hook and loop fasteners. Additionally, the apparatus 10 may include one or more a flap 94 extending from a bottom portion of the apparatus for receiving a weighted object, such as a sandbag or the like thereon to provide additional stability to the apparatus in an upright position.

With reference to FIG. 6, an optional embodiment of the present invention is illustrated having a U-shaped cross-section. In such an embodiment, a further top brace 100 may be provided extending between the distal ends of the short portions 18 of the top beam 12. A further top sheet member 102 may also be extended across the top beam 12 and the top brace 100 to form a roof on the apparatus. It will also be appreciated that such an apparatus may be rotated 90 degrees such that the end braces 40 are located proximate to and parallel with the ground or other surface to provide a shelter having an open end with a reduced height.

In operation, the apparatus 10 may be transported to a desired location in a stored or folded position. The user may then grasp the top beam 12 and lift it in an upward direction away from the bottom beam 14 so as to rotate the elongate members 44 and 46 about their pivot connection with the end and middle brackets 24 and 26 as well as relative to each other about their center pivot 48 until the elongate members 44 and 46 are substantially aligned along their axis. The user may then align the locking pin 50 with the receiving bore 54 and insert it therein so as to lock the first and second elongate members 44 and 46 to retain the apparatus in the erected position. Optionally, the user may connect a plurality of apparatuses together by connecting the hook portion of one connector to a loop portion of an adjacent apparatus to form a barrier. Optionally, the user may also locate a weighted object upon the flap 94 so as to assist the barrier in maintaining an upright position. To transport and store the apparatus, the above procedure may be reversed by removing the weighted object, separating the hook and loop fasteners from adjacent apparatuses and then pulling the locking pins 50 out of the receiving bores to permit the braces to be collapsed.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims. 

1. An apparatus for forming a shelter comprising: a pair of parallel spaced apart beams; a flexible barrier sheet extending between said pair of beams; and at least two braces extending between said beams, each of said braces being foldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of said pair or beams.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said braces comprise foldable braces formed of first and second elongate members pivotally connected to each other.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and second elongate members have substantially similar lengths.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and second elongate members are foldable to be substantially parallel to said beams in a first position and substantially perpendicular to said beams in a second position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first and second elongate members are substantially coaxial in said second position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first and second elongate members are lengthwise and rotatably lockable to each in said second position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said braces are foldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of said pair or beams.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising end braces located adjacent to each end of said beams.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said beams comprise L-shaped beams.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said L-shaped beams have a long portion and a short portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said long and short portions are perpendicular to each other.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a brace located at a junction of said long and short portions.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said beams comprise U-shaped beams having a pair of spaced apart short portions with a long portion extending therebetween.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a brace located at a junction of said long and short portions.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible barrier sheet is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, rubber, plastic, mesh or rubberized fabric.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible barrier extends between said end braces
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sheet includes a first connection member located adjacent to a first end brace and a second connection member, connectable to said first connection member and located adjacent to a second opposed end brace such that adjacent apparatuses are connectable to each other.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first and connection members comprise hook and loop fasteners.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said flexible barrier includes an extended planar portion extending from one of said pair of parallel beams sized extend from a bottom of said apparatus when in a vertical orientation and to receive a weighted object thereon for stabilizing said apparatus. 